Niagara’s Joe Tallari and Matt Ryan each scored a hat trick to lead Niagara to a 7-3 win over Air Force in the consolation game of the inaugural Lefty McFadden Tournament at the Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio.
Air Force fell to 0-2 on the season after losing to Miami and Niagara in the season-opening tournament. Niagara is now 1-1 on the season.
Tallari got the Purple Eagles on the board first just three minutes into the game. Three minutes later, NU’s Matt Ryan scored on the power play for a 2-0 lead.
Andy Berg got the Falcons on the board at the 11:45 mark with a power play goal, but Ryan’s second goal of the game gave the Purps a 3-1 lead after one period.
Tallari’s second goal of the game put Niagara up 4-1 midway through the second period, but the Falcons quickly answered. Carson Strang netted his first career goal at 9:52. NU’s Hannu Karru scored four minutes later for a 5-2 Niagara lead after two.
All three goals in the third period came in the final 3:30 of the game. Tallari completed his hat trick at 16:33 on the power play. Berg scored his second goal of the game at 18:40 while Ryan’s scored his third with 54 seconds remaining.
Niagara outshot Air Force, 38-27, in the game. NU was 4-for-11 on the power play while AFA was 2-for-9. NU goaltender Jeff VanNynatten stopped 24 shots, including 11 in the third period. AFA goalie Mike Polidor stopped 31 shots.
